White Christmas

What an exciting Christmas gift! On Christmas Eve, it started snowing and it snowed all day long.  My parents took the kids to the movies and I went to the mall for some last minute sale shopping.  Without the kids in tow, it was so fun being amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday shoppers.  I spent the day at my parents, just visiting and watching the kids play.  I was afraid that with the snow storm, Steve wouldn't be able to land in Dallas afterall.  I figured I would rather stay safe and warm at my folks than drive home and be alone on Christmas morning. 

Steve did get to land and we both drove home safely to spend the night at our own house for Christmas morning.  Steve had a reserve line for December, so we were unsure is he would be home for Christmas or not.  We were willing to celebrate late in order to have Steve home.  He got called in for a two day trip on Wednesday the 23rd.  Luckily, he got home Christmas Eve and didn't get called in for the next two days.

We all enjoyed Christmas together and had fun playing in the SNOW Christmas morning.  The new pics on my blog are from Christmas morning.  Steve was able to set up our camera to take a picture with the timer so we could get a family shot.  I am thankful that he is not as stubborn as I am and he is willing to read directions. :)

I LUV San Antonio

On Saturday morning, we decided to fly to San Antonio to watch the 5A state football playoffs.  Steve went to Trinity and wanted to support his team.  It was a great game and they won in overtime.  We were on tv at the very end for a family hug.  We have it recorded on TIVO.  I am hoping to get it off there and upload it on here.  We'll see.

We enjoyed the rest of the day in San Antonio.  The kids wanted to go the the Alamo and so we toured it during the afternoon.  We went to the Riverwalk for dinner. It was all decorated with Christmas lights.  So beautiful, but very crowded.  We went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, Cafe Ole.  They had changed their salsa and food wasn't too great.  Guess we'll try someplace different next time.  We stayed the night and went to the Riverwalk again for lumch on Sunday.  We tried the Texas restaurant and enjoyed great burgers!  We also took a boat ride through the river; this was the kids favorite part of the weekend. 

We had an easy time getting there and back home.  Maybe we'll try using our free flights more often.

Shane's success!

12-6...On the Shane side of things, he has just woken up for the third day sleeping in underwear without an accident.  He has been potty trained since he turned three, but has been wearing Good-Nights to bed at night.  (Pull-ups didn't hold enough.)  Since his "pull up" has been dry so often the past few months, we decided to try underwear!  So far we are 3 for 3!  He is working to fill up a sticker chart for a Little Kin baby seal.

Update...12-17...We are on day 15 now and have only had one accident.  Steve and I are taking turns waking him to use the potty in the middle of the night.  Believe me, this is better than being up, changing the sheets, and trying to console an extrememly disappointed, crying child.  We now have "Cutie" (a little white seal) and can play with him on Webkinz.com.  We are working to get 20 stickers this time!

Author's Celebration

Sarah's second grade class hosted an Author's Celebration today.  This followed their party and all parents were invited.  It was funny, yet pleasing to me that Sarah was more excited to share the story she had written than about the Christmas breakfast.  (I was thrilled that the two kids' parties were at two different times so that I could attend both.) 

The teacher had it set up so that they got to sit in a Director's Chair in front of the class and they got to blow "New Year's Eve" type horns to celebrate each student's story.  What fun!  Her story was about her Disney cruise that my parents took them on in Nov.  Hopefully, it will come home soon so Steve, Grandy, and Papa can read it, and I can post.  One thing that was especially cute, was that throughout her writing, she talked about herself and also included details about Shane's experince.  They really do love each other, even though they seem to be going through a "He's looking at me....She has her feet on me" stage.

Did you know? Santa cannot read

Shane got to visit with Santa today at his preschool Christmas party.  When I arrived, he told me that Santa cannot read.  When I asked him how he knew that, he said..."I sent him my list, but he still asked me what I wanted. He couldn't read my list." He told Santa that he wanted a double Lightsaber and an Incredible Hulk figure. 

He enjoyed his party and getting a new book.  It was fun to be able to be there and to just "be a mom!"

Great News! Santa doesn't have a budget!

Sarah and Shane were talking about their Christmas "lists" the other night in the car.  Shane looks through every ad and toy catalog that comes in our house and cuts out pictures for his list.  After he filled the third page with wanted toys (5 of which are different types of car racetracks), we started talking about one or two that he would REALLY like to have.  I explained that Santa has to get gifts for so many children, so he cannot get everybody all the things on their lists.  Therefore, he has narrowed down his list to include an Incredible Hulk figure and a double lightsaber that is red like Darthmaul's.

Anyway, he was asking Sarah what she REALLY wanted and trying to help her decide on two must-have items.  She wants the Paperoni craft kit and a Just Like You American Girl doll.  Another big item that Sarah has on her list is the American Girl doll Treehouse.  Shane reminded her of this item and we were talking about how this item is very expensive ($250).  He said, "That's OK, Mommy, Sarah can just get it from Santa."  Obviously our economy lesson didn't stick, but its nice that the kid dreams BIG!

Later on in the conversation, I overheard Shane asking Sarah if she had a little sister on her list.  He said that he was asking for a little brother.  Oh, my!

Check out this blog...adorable craft ideas

I was checking on a friend's blog and she had this post...
"So a friend of mine suggested I check out her friends blog, and I love it! This gal has great ideas and is very witty. She is actually doing a give-a-way right now. Go on over and check it out."

Here is the blog...  http://www.barnesfamilylove.blogspot.com/

All you mom's of little, not yet kindergarten girls, you must scroll down to see the instructions for making tu-tu skirts.  Adorable!  Wishing mine were still little so she could wear a skirt like this (for half a second...then I remember all the fun we have now that she is older). :)

I decided to become a follower.  My job is over, so why not.  All I do all day is sit around, drink hot cocoa, and play on the computer, right!